Tubolight is a 29er HD EVO mousse insert for Enduro and E-Bike: Tubolight claims to be used by Trek Factort Racing (Jolanda Neff), Thomus Swiss Bike Team (Mathias Fluckiger), Commencal Muc-Off (Amaury Pierron) and other teams (see official site).
In the catalog we also find a lighter version, for XC use, as well as a road and Gravel version.
The new structure with the generous section at the edge of the rim offers adequate protection for modern wide rim rims and guarantees great lateral support to the tyre. Furthermore, in the central part we have tried to increase the space between the insert and the tread as much as possible to offer a greater possibility of customizing the pressure.
A unique feature is the groove between the insert and the rim to create an additional air area which has the function of retaining the air molecule during a shock with the result that the pressure in the external part of the insert, after a compression, is lower. You will thus perceive a lower "rebound effect" given by the attenuation of the elastic effect and consequent increase in smoothness.
FEATURES
The HD version is more resistant than the SL (for XC) and still weighs just 90 grams each. The HD version, designed for use with tires from 2.35" to 2.80" on rims with rims starting from 26mm, is dedicated to heavy use such as Gravity, Enduro and E-Bike.
RESPONSE OF THE TEST
The product turned out to be very light and not difficult to insert like other inserts: this can be seen as an advantage but also as a defect since it means that it certainly holds the structure less in place in the event of violent blows.
On the other hand, the weight is only 90gr and, subsequently confirmed by the test, it is to be seen as an emergency shot saver. From a racing point of view, it's a good product for riding with pressures that are not excessively low (I recommend using your ideal pressure) and then having an extra safety factor on the rim and in the event of a puncture.
Here you are. In case of puncture. Touching this topic, I was hurt when I saw Last Sunday he punched Mathias Fluckiger and lose all that ground: but did it really have the Tubolight insert inside? It must be said that the XC insert is even lighter (58gr against the 90gr of the enduro model) and, surely, its strong point is not the Runflat.
From a racing point of view, it is a product that goes straight to the point but does not have resistance as a value: it means that it needs to be changed more than once a season if you cover several kilometers. We, after 2 races and about fifteen tough enduro outings, found ourselves with the insert quite damaged, also impregnating itself with latex in the points where it tore. Here are the photos that do not give rise to doubts.
We certainly don't like the idea of a disposable product, even for an environmental point of view
In use it doesn't seem to have an insert inside the rubber. The driving sensations are almost the same, as are the pressures used: in my case 1.3/1.4 at the front and 1.5/1.6 at the rear (with tires with DoubleDown Maxxis or similar casings). However, a few bad blows absorb him and the circle thanks them. And, in the event of a puncture, it doesn't throw the race away, even if after a race on the mousse, the insert presumably has to be thrown away.
TUBOLIGHT OFFICIAL SITE
Price of an insert? €39,90 each (without valves).
| ADVANTAGES | Lightness. |
| DEFECTS | Limited impact resistance. Not durable over time. Tends to drink in latex once it cuts. |
